BLADES OF GREEN

[Music] the American bison roamed the plains by the millions and thread on the grass that was there in abundance as the increased population with its greater demand for meat and croplands moved west grass growing areas diminished creating problems in supply and demand that only improved methods could solve the trend is for more cattle and sheep to secure their food from lush man-made irrigated pastures produced by continuous research sentiment [Music] hugs are good foragers and make growth feeding on grow mix with alpha-2 dairy animals improved our well-managed pasture is even more important an acre of pasture compares favorably with the production from an acre of alfalfa corn silage or barley production per acre in terms of total digestible nutrients will produce milk and beef and the following amounts improved pasture grass will yield 5,000 292 pounds of TD ends producing 6600 88 pounds of milk or 1000 147 pounds of beef during the grazing season [Music] many Western farmers improve their native middle land with new improved grants varieties this man cuts a crop of grass hay from his meadow land which he will feed his stock during the winter season this same land will then provide pasture for late season grazing much of our western grassland is reclaimed from marginal land or irregular hillsides this man is terracing his land to prevent washing away soil and runoff of needed moisture the terraces are then seated with adaptable grasses thus becoming productive parts of the field and grass waterways carry surplus runoff water from cultivated fields to prevent washing away the soil grass is also used to keep the soil in place on embankments along our modern highways without it salt would wash onto the road with every rain good grass for any purpose can only be produced from the best seed grass seed produced in the western states contributes substantially to the total requirements of the United States this matured crop of alta fescue and Grande Ronde Valley Oregon is almost ready to harvest this field of creeping red fescue is the result of continual care proper hoeing and drugging in the production of high-quality grass seed broguing ensures weed free stands and eliminates off type plants the highest production from grass seed fields is generally from the first and second years harvest yields and succeeding years may decline but stands like this four year old a story event will produce good yields the crop should be harvested when most of the maturing heads are in the hard dough stage and top seeds in the head are about to shatter binding is a good method of harvesting grass seed it is advisable to equip the binder with pans beneath the end of the platform Draper to collect seed from shattered heads careful handling of bundles also prevents loss the bundles are placed in loose shocks immediately after binding for a few days to cure before threshing here Marianne bluegrass bundles are being inspected to see if the heads are dry enough for threshing the most productive and nutritious pastures contain a mixture of grass and legumes this mixture consists of Ladino clover and orchard grass here we have tall fescue tall fescue and alfalfa narrow leaf trefoil and tall fescue [Music] this machine plants seed that distributes fertilizer and packs the soil at the same time fertilizer is placed about an inch and a half below the seed and a half inch to either side of it making starting fertilizer effectively available to the newly planted seed notice the firmness of this well-prepared seed bed coffee packin breaks our odds and presses the soil firmly around the seed pasture seed germinates in several days and good stands are more certain at the seed bed is firm and moist if a nurse or companion crop is used seed it at a reduced rate a common practice is to plant grass seed in Grain stubble in late summer or early fall using the same forest to water the grass that earlier watered the grain good pasture provides meat more economically than any other feed once established it provides speed at a minimum of cost and labor improves soil structure and at the same time increases soil fertility grass is a profitable crop for hilly land it builds and saves the soil providing a source of food for domestic animals grass mixed with legumes is palatable nutritious and reduces bloating in animals besides producing edible top growth the plants root system extends many feet into the soil adding houmous and improving soil structure here is illustrated the value of crested wheat grass under favourable conditions based on dry matter per acre the top produces three thousand four hundred sixty pounds per acre the crown 1515 pounds the roots first eight inches five thousand four hundred twenty pounds next eight inches five hundred seventy five pounds there are various methods of applying commercial fertilizers even though palatable high yielding plants are used in the pasture mixture for its production will be disappointingly low unless nitrates and phosphates are added by applying barnyard manure with phosphate every second or third year the necessary plant food nutrients will be maintained in the soil [Music] this chart shows green forage production per acre in terms of pounds produced from both fertilized and unfertilized pasture grazed in rotation from April through October first the number of pounds of green herbage from an acre of unfertilized pasture shows an increase through the summer and a sharp decline in the fall but production of forage from fertilized pasture has more than doubled with the application of manure and phosphates in addition the increased herbage contains far greater amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen so vital to the growth and well-being of animals [Music] here are shown the benefits of improved faster in terms of animal and human feed units [Music] thus we see the importance of a recommended high yielding pasture mixture and the use of fertilizer high production from pastures depend upon five factors one the desirable mixture of grasses and legumes to recommended methods of establishment 3 supplying reasonable amounts of water for application of plant food and 5 pasture grazing management [Music] pastures often become weed infested making it necessary to spray with a weed destroying chemical usually one application will be sufficient proper grazing methods and adequate fertilization curtail the growth of weeds in pasture land clipping removes unpalatable forage forces new growth and ensures more grass during the next grazing period by using rotation grazing each division of the field receives a rest and will produce more and better feed millions of acres of sage land in the West can be profitably receded where the value of increased forage repays the cost seeding of grass is justified but useless vegetation must be removed and the seed must be covered heavy disc plows are effective for tearing up sage and rabbit brush fire is cheap but dangerous chemicals rail drags rotor beaters arrows and noble blocks are also used here the uprooted sagebrush is being raked into Windrose where it is left to collect and hold the drifting snows in time the brush disintegrates and disappears time of seeding varies depending upon type of grass desired and should be done only when soil moisture is assured for at least 60 days of growing weather fall rains and winter snows will provide moisture for spring seedlings this man is seeding in the fall grilling his seed in rows 12 inches apart and 3/4 of an inch in depth seeding rangeland without providing for proper grazing management is a waste of time and expense grass seedlings in dry areas need at least two growing seasons to become firmly rooted in dry period three or even four years may be necessary to establish a good stand before grazing on most Range lands about half the current growth should be left ungrazed at the end of the season to prevent moisture runoff and soil erosion crested wheatgrass is adapted to areas where temperatures are severe and moisture supply is limited it does well on all types of soil and thrives in areas having as little as 10 inches of moisture annually [Music] many new varieties and strains of turfgrasses have been developed and experimental plantings tend to prove their worth under local conditions [Music] marry and bluegrass is but one adapted to many different localities less mowing is needed because of its low growing habits test plots of new turf grass varieties and mixtures attract interest among homeowners public leaders private industry and the wholesale and retail seed trade many permanent grasses develop underground spreading root stocks or rhizomes as shown by this Marion Blue Grass plant others grow on the surface by means of runners or stolens adaptability beauty texture and mat forming qualities should be considered in selecting a Grants variety and seed should be obtained from reputable dealers to establish a good law neither on farm or city property a fine firm and moist seed bed is necessary after seeding the surface is rolled to press the soil firmly around the seed no doubt the owner of the average home though it be large or small as it some time or other thought of enhancing it with a thick rich lawn of velvet green of course a good lawn requires some planning and lots of hard work but is not necessarily expensive if the prospective lawmaker begins with reasonably good soil buys a good variety of seed and follows a program of proper fertilization and maintenance he's more than likely to succeed [Music] it is profitable to follow the example of ground keepers of country clubs and golf courses for although the turf of these establishments is subject to severe wear and tear the secret of their upkeep is regularity in simple methods of care and maintenance [Music] grass has many uses consider its advantages over hard surfaces on children's playgrounds throughout the country athletic fields both football and baseball would be bare and unsightly and more conducive to physical injury without grass on adjacent to one of the many Union Pacific stations is an example of how railroads utilize grass industrial and manufacturing sites take on a park-like attractiveness when surrounding areas are grass covered grass is used to decorate the modern storefront or the more pretentious business block this expansive ground probably the most valued in the center of a great city but it almost entirely to grass people love grass the sight of it inspires and relaxes them everywhere we look in modern towns and cities sidewalks parkways and unused portions of street intersections are made more attractive by the planting of grass not only is it pleasing to the eye but it makes these places cool and sanitary instead of the dry windblown dusty areas they once were weed infested vacant lots are disappearing this western state capital enhanced by flowers would not be complete without its lawn grass is immortal vigorous aggressive it covers and forgives man's mistakes and inconstancy it over grows the ghost town hides the scars on fields of Bethel shields forgotten Braves from view and if trampled the scraped orkut reappears in time to blanket futile efforts with a robe of green it's Lavvy rents of roots spread underground in mats that keep the soil from being washed or blown away above the ground its velvet rug rounds out the Earth's sharp edges and beautifies its wastes grass is nature's vital gift to man without it he would starve it gives him grain for food feeds nearly every form of life on which he lives till blades of green have come to mean the very life of man [Music]